In 1900, Oscar C. Rixson, a Finnish architect, started a manufacturing company in Chicago, Illinois. His first products were surface door closers, window and sash hardware — any products to add quality to the incredible building boom that was occurring, at the time.

After a few years, Rixson and his engineers developed products that were concealed. The designer in him wanted to let the beauty of the buildings shine through. So he created closers that went into the floor, totally out of view.
The late sixties showed a growth mode for the Rixson family business. A small company that specialized in door holding devices was purchased and evolved into the Checkmate line of today.

In the mid-seventies, the RIXSON Company bought an innovative business, Firemark, to meet the needs of the new standards for fire/life-safety. RIXSON’s Smok-Chek series was the first closer holder combinations in the hardware industry. The next generation of these products are still dedicated to protect lives and property.
Now an ASSA ABLOY Group company, RIXSON continues to lead the way to make design dreams a reality.

RIXSON Specialty Door Controls offers customized solutions for challenging design requirements. It is the leading North American provider of concealed closers, pivots and mechanical/electromechanical door holders.
The ASSA ABLOY Group is the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of locking solutions, dedicated to satisfying end-user needs for security, safety and convenience.